Coverage options

Who is covered?

All eligible members, eligible dependents and eligible retirees, as defined in the General Information section, are covered for dental benefits.

What dental benefit programs are available?

The UFT Welfare Fund offers benefits through a choice of two (2) types of dental programs as follows:

1. A "fee-for-service" plan under which members may receive their dental services from a panelist (with little or no out-of-pocket costs). This is known as the UFT Welfare Fund Scheduled Benefit Plan. In this plan a member may see any non-participating dentist whereby a member will be reimbursed directly according to the UFT Welfare Fund’s schedule of covered dental expenses.
2. A Dental HMO plan under which comprehensive dental services are covered with no out-of-pocket expenses, known as Dentcare.

Dental benefits are provided only to the extent that the services, supplies, and the course of treatment are necessary and appropriate, and that they meet professionally recognized standards of quality. Necessity and appropriateness are determined after taking into account the total current oral condition of the patient.

How do I enroll in one of the dental plans?

Upon enrolling in the UFT Welfare Fund, a member and his/her covered dependent(s) are automatically enrolled in the Scheduled Benefit Plan. If you wish to select the Dental HMO (Dentcare), the UFT Welfare Fund’s Dental Transfer Form (DTF) must be completed within sixty (60) days of employment. There is also a Dental Open Enrollment Period every year in the fall [from September 1 – October 15] during which time you may change plans by completing the UFT Welfare Fund’s Dental Transfer Form (DTF).

Your dental coverage remains unchanged when you move from in-service to retiree status.

Note: If you elect to receive dental coverage through the dental HMO, you may not receive reimbursement through the Scheduled Benefit Plan.